The DIY massage – how to soothe away your own aches and pains

July 5th, 2012

Nowadays, the most common solution for our aches and pains is to reach for the painkillers, but what if there was another way that was entirely natural and required no medication? Massage is extremely effective for easing pain and tension, and the good news is that everyone can learn how to do it.

Aromatherapist and reflexologist Mary Atkinson gave lifestyle website All About You some simple techniques which will allow you to soothe your own pain using just your fingertips:

Upset stomach

If you are experiencing either constipation, wind or indigestion then take your thumb and finger of one hand and use to pinch the tip of the fleshy piece of skin between the thumb and finger of your opposite hand. Pinch for between 20 and 30 seconds before releasing, after which you can repeat if necessary.

Blocked ears or earache

Open your mouth wide and place both your first and second fingers in the depression this creates at the front of the ears. Apply pressure in this area for between 20 and 30 seconds, and again repeat if necessary. This is great for clearing your ears if they are blocked after a flight.

Toothache

Until you can get to see a dentist, try tiding over the pain by positioning one hand palm down on the table, whilst ‘caterpillar crawling’ with the other (use your first and middle fingers to ‘walk your hands” down each finger and thumb).

Once you have done one hand, swap over to achieve the same effects on the opposite side.

If any of the above exercises end up creating more pain, you should stop and visit your doctor as soon as possible.

For further information about any of the techniques mentioned above, please visit our Therapy Topics page.